diff --git a/dispenser/dispenserclient.go b/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
index 336972d..fed399e 100644
--- a/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
+++ b/dispenser/dispenserclient.go
@@ -299,6 +299,7 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserStart(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 	deadline := time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second)
 
 	for {
+		time.Sleep(delay)
 		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
 			return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] timeout waiting keycard at encoder position", funcName)
 		}
@@ -319,8 +320,6 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserStart(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		if isAtEncoderPosition(status) {
 			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
-
-		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -333,7 +332,7 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserFinal(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] out of mouth: %w", funcName, err)
 	}
 
-	time.Sleep(200 * time.Millisecond)
+	time.Sleep(delay * 2)
 
 	if err := c.ToEncoder(ctx); err != nil {
 		return stockStatus, fmt.Errorf("[%s] to encoder: %w", funcName, err)
@@ -346,6 +345,7 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserFinal(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 	deadline := time.Now().Add(3 * time.Second)
 
 	for {
+		time.Sleep(delay)
 		if time.Now().After(deadline) {
 			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
@@ -365,8 +365,5 @@ func (c *Client) DispenserFinal(ctx context.Context) (string, error) {
 		if isAtEncoderPosition(status) {
 			return stockStatus, nil
 		}
-
-		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
 	}
-
 }
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index e98af9e..a7e65cd 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	buildVersion     = "1.2.3"
+	buildVersion     = "1.2.4"
 	serviceName      = "hardlink"
 	pollingFrequency = 8 * time.Second
 )
diff --git a/release notes.md b/release notes.md
index ef45fc8..ec41352 100644
--- a/release notes.md	
+++ b/release notes.md	
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 builtVersion is a const in main.go
 
+#### 1.2.4 - 18 March 2026
+added check if keycard at the encoder position before trying to encode key
+
 #### 1.2.3 - 17 March 2026
 added check if keycard at the encoder position before trying to encode key